Rapper and Diddy protege Craig Mack dies at 46

Rapper Craig Mack has reportedly passed away at the age of 46, with the likes of Funkmaster Flex, Biz Markie and DJ Scratch all paying tribute to the late hip-hop star.

Mack was a protege of P Diddy, signing to his Bad Boy Records label and rising to fame with his 1994 hit single ‘Flava In Ya Ear’. A remix of the song was later released, featuring the Notorious BIG, Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J.

According to reports, Mack died of heart failure at a hospital near his home in Walterboro, South Carolina on Monday (March 12).

Diddy paid tribute to Mack with a post on Instagram, writing: “You were the first artist to release music on Bad Boy and gave us our first hit. You always followed your heart and you had an energy that was out of this world. You believed in me and you believed in Bad Boy. I will never forget what you did for hip-hop. You inspired me and will continue to inspire us. We will always love you. “

“Rest In Peace! Good brother,” Funkmaster Flex said on Instagram. Biz Markie wrote: “R.I.P TO MY MAIN MAN CRAIG MACK ANOTHER GREAT ONE GONE”.

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Mack is said to have been working on a documentary about his life at the time of his passing.

DJ Scratch took to Instagram to write: “I just got a disturbing phone call. I cannot believe this dude is gone. He just reached out a couple of weeks ago for me to speak on his documentary about his life. Because Craig was my [roadie] on tour. He would set up & break down my turntables every night on tour. Rest In Peace Lil Bro.”

Craig Mack

Alvin Toney, who produced Mack’s debut album ‘Project: Funk Da World’ and his ‘Get Down’ remix, told the New York Daily News that he saw Mack for the final time last week.

“God bless my friend. He was a good friend of mine,” Toney said. “Nobody got to understand his story. I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church.”

“He was prepared for whatever comes, to go home to the Lord,” Toney added. “He was prepared to do that. He wasn’t scared. He was ready.”